The Impact of Global Programs such as PEPFAR, UNAIDS, and the Global Fund on Combating HIV/AIDS in East Africa

Ngugi Mwaura J.

School of Natural and Applied Sciences Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT

HIV/AIDS continues to be a major public health crisis in East Africa, disproportionately affecting countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. This review evaluates the impact of global programs, including the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and The Global Fund, in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic in East Africa. These initiatives have played pivotal roles in reducing HIV transmission, increasing access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and strengthening healthcare infrastructure. Key interventions, such as voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC), prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), and ART distribution, have contributed to a decline in HIV prevalence. However, challenges such as funding sustainability, stigma, and access inequities persist. This review also discusses future directions for enhancing global efforts, with recommendations for promoting domestic funding, improving social inclusion, and integrating HIV services into broader healthcare frameworks. The study underscores the importance of ongoing collaboration among governments, international donors, civil society, and communities to ensure the continued success of HIV/AIDS programs in East Africa.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, East Africa, PEPFAR, UNAIDS, prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), stigma.

CITE AS: Ngugi Mwaura J. (2024). The Impact of Global Programs such as PEPFAR, UNAIDS, and the Global Fund on Combating HIV/AIDS in East Africa. IAA Journal of Scientific Research 11(3):1-6. https://doi.org/10.59298/IAAJSR/2024/113.1600